Floating c yoke



E. A. DE V055 FLOATING G YOKE Dec. 12, 1967 Filed Aug. 18, 1966 -21 Maudie/arr United States Patent 3,357,079 FLOATING C YOKE Edwin A. de Voss, Torrance, Calif., assignor to Northrop Corporation, Beverly Hills, Calif, a corporation of California Filed Aug. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 573,367 5 Claims. (Cl. 29--34) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus making possible drilling and riveting operations to be simultaneously performed on a workpiece without holes drilled in the workpiece being deformed in any respect regardless of forces induced into the apparatus due to the riveting operation. The above is accomplished by utilizing major and minor frame structures mounted independently of each other. The major frame structure is of hollow construction and carries the riveting means. The minor frame structure constitutes an independent frame independently mounted within the major frame structure. The minor frame structure carries the drilling means. Mounted in this manner, it is obvious strain induced in the major frame structure will not be transmitted to the minor frame structure.

This invention relates to a facility for effecting a fabrication operation and more particularly to a machine adapted to simultaneously effect drilling and riveting opertions on a panel assembly or the like constructed of hard metals and in which the holes drilled in the assembly are not distorted or deformed as a result of the riveting operation.

Machines for simultaneously performing a dual operation of drilling and riveting on a panel assembly or the like are well known and are presently available. However, it is also well known that drilling and riveting operations simultaneously effected the same machine, and on a panel assembly constructed of hard metal, results in an out-ofround configuration being imparted to the holes as they are drilled therein. The fabrication of panel assemblies normally is effected on a machine having a single yoke (frame) generally of C configuration. Utilizing a machine of the above type (single yoke) results in an out-ofround or otherwise deformed condition being imparted to the holes as they are drilled due to the deflection of the single yoke occurring during the riveting (squeezing) operation. Frequently the above condition also results in broken drill bits, a condition which is time consuming and quite objectionable for obvious reasons.

The conditions described above were not too objectionable and could be tolerated when aluminum and other soft metals were utilized in the fabrication of aircraft panels. However, with the advent of harder metals (titanium, beryllium, etc.) the condition became intolerable and corrective measures were required.

Accordingly it is a prime object of the present invention to disclose a machine on which drilling and riveting operations are simultaneously performed and in which the drill bit and spindle thereof are not deflected during the riveting operation.

Another object is to disclose a machine on which drill- Briefly the present invention includes a separate or a 3,357,079 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 'ice floating yoke secured to the main frame of the machine and on which the drill bit and spindle are mounted. The main frame of the machine assumes all the forces resulting from the riveting operation leaving the floating yoke to absorb only forces resulting from the drilling operation which are quite small as compared to the forces resulting from a riveting(squeezing) operation. The floating yoke is entirely independent of deformations occurring in the main frame of the machine and is secured thereto only at such points as will not influence movement thereof in response to deflections occurring therein during a riveting (squeezing) operation or a vibrating cycle.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a machine as disclosed herein.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of FIGURE 1 taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a reduced sectional view of FIGURE 1 taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing, FIGURES l and 2 shows a machine of the type disclosed herein adapted to simultaneously perform drilling and riveting operations on a panel assembly 12 without distortion being imparted to holes drilled in the assembly. The machine 11 comprises a C shaped frame 14, hereinafter referred to as the major frame of the machine 14, of shell-like configuration. The frame is symmetrically constructed about a vertical axis AA (FIGURE 1) and 'inculdes base, back and overhead portions 16, 17 and 18, respectively. The major frame of the machine 11 is of integral construction defining a throat portion 19 in which the panel assembly 12 is positioned at such time as drilling and riveting operations are performed thereon. The integral construction of the base, back and overhead portions 16, 17 and 18, respectively, render the frame members 14 extremely firm and rigid. The lower wall 21 of the overhead portion 18 defines a passageway 22 the function of which will become apparent as the disclosure progresses.

Positioned centrally and inside of the major frame member is a frame member 23 of solid construction, hereinafter referred to as the minor frame member. In the embodiment shown the minor frame member 23 also is symmetrically constructed about the axis A-A. The minor frame member 23 includes base, back and overhead portions 24, 26 and 27, respectively, and also a depending portion 30 all joined together in integral construction. The member 23 is shown as being of solid construction, however, this need not be the case, it maybe of hollow or built-up construction if it is found more expedient and practical to construct it in this manner.

As assembled, the member 23 is positioned centrally within the member 14, in other words it is centrally positioned with respect to the axis AA. In the embodiment shown the member 23 is symmetrically positioned with respect to the axis AA, however, this relationship is not absolutely necessary. The prime requisite in this respect being that (relationship of members 23 and 24) the working head secured to the minor frame member 23 is positioned adjacent the working head or heads secured to the major frame of the machine 11.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be seen that the major and minor frame members 14 and 23, respectively, are

secured together and to the foundation upon which the however, its dimension are, somewhat less providing clearance therebetween as indicated generally by the numeral 28, this is particularly true with respect to the back and overhead portions 26 and 27, respectively. Angle members 29 and 31 provide means for position and maintaining the relative position of the members 14 and 23. In this respect it will be noticed that bolts 36 pass through the base portion of the member 23 and, therefore, render this portion fixed with respect to the base portion of the major frame member 14. The other angular members (members 31) are secured to the upper wall of the base portion 16 and to the lower wall of the overhead portion 18. The members 31 are positioned on each side of the minor frame member 23, as seen in FIGURE 1, and have a sliding fit therewith. Thus it will be seen that the back and overhead portions of the major and minor frame members 14 and 23 are free to move with respect to the other, in other words deflections of the back and overhead portions of member 14 will not be transmitted to the overhead portion of the member 23.

As previously mentioned the depending portion of the minor frame member 23 extends through the passageway 22, sufficient clearance being provided between the passageway 22 and depending portion 30 insuring that deflections of the major frame 14 will not be transmitted to the minor frame 23 at this location.

The machine 11 includes a drilling head 33 and a pair of riveting heads 32 positioned on each side of the head 33. This arrangement enables a workpiece (assembly 12) to enter the machine 11 from either the right or left side, in this respect one of the heads 32 is rendered inoperativein other words, the head 32 located on the side of the machine 11 from which the assembly 12 is entering is rendered inoperative. The drilling head 33 is mounted on the depending portion 30 of the minor frame member 23 while the head 32 (riveting head) is mounted on the overhead portion of the major frame member 14. The heads 32 and 33 operate in a conventional manner utilizing hydraulic and electric power.

Hydraulic means 34 and 35 when actuated provide additional and concentrated support for tools mounted in the heads 32 and 33 at such time as the tools are performing a machining operation on the assembly 12. The means 34 and 35 are mounted on the base portion of the frame member 14 at locations directly below the heads 32 and 33.

Mounted in this manner it will be apparent that deflections of the major frame member 14, occurring during riveting operations, will not be transmitted to the minor frame member 23. Drilling operations, requiring relative little pressure as compared to the extensive pressure required for riveting (squeezing) operations are resisted independently by the minor frame member 23. In turnthe riveting operations, requiring forces of greater magnitude as compared to the drilling operation are resisted by the more rugged major frame member 14. Thus in drilling a hole in the assembly 12 the components holding the drill bit will not be subject to forces resulting in deflection and as a result true holes (not out-of-round) will be drilled in the assembly 12.

In view of the above explanation, it will now be apparent that the machine 11 provides means enabling the drilling and riveting heads 32 and 33 to be mounted in side-by-side relation. Further this relation and construction will not result in the deformation (out-of-round) of holes being drilled in the assembly 12, also bits mounted in the head 32 will not be broken, as a result of a riveting operation.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has'been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, but that themeans and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred form of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms or'modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine adapted to simultaneously effect drilling and riveting operations on a workpiece, comprising:

(a) major and minor frame members each including vbase, overhead and back portions defining throat portions;

(b) first upper and lower means mounted on said base and overhead portions of said major frame member, respectively, and at least said upper or lower means including riveting and actuating means functioning to effect a riveting operation when said actuating means is actuated;

(c) second upper and lower means mounted on said base and overhead portions of said minor frame member, respectively, and at least said second upper or lower means including actuator and drilling means functioning to effect a drilling operation when said actuating means is actuated;

(d) and said major and minor frame member being secured together so that corresponding portions thereof have a juxtapositioned relation with respect to each other and so that deflections of said major frame member, resulting from a riveting operation performed thereon, will not be transmitted to said minor frame member.

2. In a machine adapted to simultaneously effect drilling and riveting operations on a workpiece, comprising:

(a) and said major and minor frame member being assembled to provide unitary structure with said base, overhead, and back portion having a juxtapositioned relation with respect to each other and so that deflections of said major frame member, resulting from a riveting operation performed thereon, are not transmitted to said minor frame member.

3. In a machine adapted to simultaneously effect drilling and riveting operations on a workpiece, comprising:

(a) a major shell-like frame member and a minor frame member each including base, overhead and back portions defining throat portions;

(b) first upper and lower means mounted on said base and overhead portions of said major frame member, respectively, and at least said upper or lower means including riveting and actuated means functioning to effect a riveting operation when said actuating means is actuated;

(0) second upper and lower means mounted on said base and overhead portions of said minor frame member, respectively, and at least said second upper or lower means including actuator and drilling means functioning to effect a drilling operation when said actuating means is actuated;

(d) and said major and minor frame member being secured together so that corresponding portions thereof have a juxtapositioned relation with respect to each other and so that deflections of said major frame member, resulting from a riveting operation performed thereon, will not be transmitted to said minor frame member.

4. In apparatus as set forth in claim 3:

(a) in which the overhead portion of said minor frame member includes a depending portion;

(b) the lower wall of said overhead portion of said major frame portion defining a passageway having a configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of said depending portion but exceeding the dimensions of said depending portion;

(c) said second upper means being mounted on said depending portion;

((1) and the manner in which said major and minor frame members are secured together being further characterized in that said depending portion extends through said passageway and said base portion of said minor frame member is supported by and secured to the base portion of said major frame member.

5.-In apparatus as set forth in claim 4:

(a) in which angular members are utilized in securing said minor frame member in said major frame member positioned adjacent the base and overhead portions of said major and minor frame members;

(b) and said angular members located at the lowermost portion of said base portions being fixedly secured to the base portions of said major and minor frame members and all other angular members being fixedly secured to said major frame member and UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,154,979 11/1964 Crispin 2934.2 2,838,968 6/1958 Amend 29564 RICHARD H. EANES, IR., Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE ADAPTED TO SIMULTANEOUSLY EFFECT DRILLING AND RIVETING OPERATIONS ON A WORKPIECE, COMPRISING: (A) MAJOR AND MINOR FRAME MEMBERS EACH INCLUDING BASE, OVERHEAD AND BACK PORTIONS DEFINING THROAT PORTIONS; (B) FIRST UPPER AND LOWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND OVERHEAD PORTIONS OF SAID MAJOR FRAME MEMBER, RESPECTIVELY, AND AT LEAST SAID UPPER OR LOWER MEANS INCLUDING RIVETING AND ACTUATING MEANS FUNCTIONING TO EFFECT A RIVETING OPERATION WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS ACTUATED; (C) SECOND UPPER AND LOWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE AND OVERHEAD PORTIONS OF SAID MINOR FRAME MEMBER, RESPECTIVELY, AND AT LEAST SAID SECOND UPPER OR LOWER MEANS INCLUDING ACTUATOR AND DRILLING MEANS FUNCTIONING TO EFFECT A DRILLING OPERATION WHEN SAID ACTUATING MEANS IS ACTUATED; 